At independence in 1960, Nigerians dreamed of building a nation where the many ethnic nationalities would unite to form a strong and vibrant country. The slogan then was “unity in diversity.” Today, that dream has largely crumbled, torn apart by ethnic rivalries, mistrust, political scapegoating, and tribalism.
For nationalists such as Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Sir Ahmadu Bello, and Chief Obafemi Awolowo, ethnicity existed in the background but was not wielded as a weapon. Though they disagreed, they managed to sustain a delicate balance. Politics in those days was shaped more by ideology than by origin—a reality that now feels distant.
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In the Beginning
Before independence, Lagos was a true political melting pot. Non-natives like Dr. Azikiwe gained influence in the city, and electoral contests revolved around ideas and policies rather than tribe. Nigeria seemed to be charting the right course.
In 1938, for instance, Chief Awolowo supported Ernest Ikoli, an Ijaw, against Samuel Akinsanya, a Yoruba candidate backed by Azikiwe, in a legislative council election in Lagos. Similarly, Mallam Igwe Iweka, an Igbo man, once won a seat in the Northern House of Assembly. In the 1950s, Umaru Altine, a Fulani Muslim from Sokoto, was twice elected Mayor of Enugu—an overwhelmingly Igbo city—where he served with excellence. These moments reflected a powerful truth: competence could rise above tribe or religion.
Also noteworthy, Professor Eyo Ita, an Efik from Cross River, led government business in the Eastern Region with headquarters in Enugu between 1951 and 1953. These examples symbolized a Nigeria where merit mattered more than ethnicity.
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Origins of Ethnic Politics
The tide began to shift in the 1950s. The crisis in the Western Region marked the birth of ethnic politics in Nigeria. During the 1951 Western House of Assembly elections, the National Council of Nigerian Citizens (NCNC), led by Azikiwe, won 43 seats, while Awolowo’s Action Group (AG) secured 37. Under the parliamentary system, the NCNC should have formed the government.
However, in a dramatic twist, the AG persuaded 20 NCNC legislators and six members of the Ibadan Peoples Party to defect. On the day of inauguration, the defections handed the AG a majority of 57 seats, reducing the NCNC to 23. This gave Awolowo the premiership while Azikiwe became leader of the opposition in the region.
Subsequently, Azikiwe returned to the East, displacing Eyo Ita as leader, a move that sowed discontent among minority groups. From that period, ethnicity began to harden as the defining factor of Nigerian politics.
The turbulence of the 1960s—including the 1962 Western Region crisis, the 1966 coups, and the Biafran War (1967–70)—deepened divisions and left lasting scars. Military rule that followed claimed neutrality but often reinforced ethnic favoritism through lopsided appointments and resource allocation.
When democracy returned in 1999, many hoped the wounds would heal. Instead, ethnic suspicion remained deeply rooted.
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The 2015 Turning Point
Ethnic tensions intensified in 2015. During the elections, the Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu, allegedly warned that the Igbo community would be “thrown into the lagoon” if they failed to back his preferred candidate. Although dismissed later as mere banter, the remark left long-lasting resentment.
The victory of Muhammadu Buhari, supported mainly by northern and southwestern blocs, was interpreted in the South-East and South-South as evidence of exclusion. His administration was accused of nepotism, with northern Muslims dominating key positions in security and government. This perception fueled separatist sentiments and strengthened groups like the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). Calls for restructuring and self-determination grew louder.
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Ethnic Politics Laid Bare in 2023
The 2023 general elections exposed just how entrenched ethnic politics had become. Peter Obi of the Labour Party emerged as a third-force candidate, challenging the dominance of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Obi’s candidacy—backed by urban youths, professionals, and the middle class—was seen as a generational shift.
Bola Tinubu, a Yoruba Muslim and APC heavyweight, drew strength from powerful networks in the South-West and parts of the North. What could have been an ideological contest soon descended into an ethnic brawl.
Obi’s supporters were dismissed as “IPOB sympathizers” and “Biafran tribalists.” Tinubu’s camp faced accusations of Yoruba supremacy and voter intimidation. Political leaders who chose to back candidates from other ethnic groups were branded as traitors.
The Lagos governorship election that followed worsened tensions. Reports of voter harassment, violence, and hate speech revealed deep cracks in Lagos’s image as a cosmopolitan hub of unity.
On social media, the hostility was toxic. Obi’s supporters were mocked as “Obidiots,” while Tinubu’s backers were derisively called “Jagabandits.” The debate degenerated into insults rather than meaningful discussions.
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The Danger Ahead
Nigeria sits at a dangerous crossroads. In a nation of over 250 ethnic groups, politics driven by tribal loyalty undermines unity and progress. Ethnic politics destroys meritocracy, encourages corruption, and weakens national institutions.
When appointments, contracts, and opportunities are distributed based on tribe instead of competence, failure becomes inevitable. Worse still, ethnic politics alienates millions of citizens who feel excluded from the system. When “it is our turn” replaces “what is best for all,” resentment and division thrive.
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The Way Forward
Nigeria must urgently move away from the path of ethnic politics. The focus should shift to inclusivity, fairness, and competence.
Structural reforms such as true federalism, equitable power rotation, and constitutional safeguards can help reduce friction. Yet, legal changes alone are not enough. A cultural and attitudinal shift is essential.
The dream of “unity in diversity” can still be revived—but only if Nigerians and their leaders commit to building a nation where identity is defined not by tribe or religion, but by shared values, justice, and collective progress.
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